Sat | Apr 4, 2026

Hanover Infirmary gets $16-m matron’s quarters

Published:Monday | May 5, 2025 | 12:06 AMBryan Miller/Gleaner Writer
From left: Tamika Davis, member of parliament for Hanover Western; Andria Dehaney-Grant, deputy mayor of Lucea; Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie; Kayon Dyer, the matron at the Hanover Infirmary; and David Gardener, the chief executive officer at
Bryan Miller photo
From left: Tamika Davis, member of parliament for Hanover Western; Andria Dehaney-Grant, deputy mayor of Lucea; Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie; Kayon Dyer, the matron at the Hanover Infirmary; and David Gardener, the chief executive officer at the Hanover Municipal Corporation, take part in the ribbon cutting for the new matron’s quarters at the Hanover Infirmary.

Western Bureau:

The Hanover Infirmary, located in the parish capital, Lucea, is poised for improved operational efficiency, thanks to the official opening of its new $16-million matron’s quarters, which will see the matron assigned to the facility residing on the compound.

The fully furnished, three-bedroom residential unit was handed over last Thursday by Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, who noted that Hanover is only the second parish in Jamaica that can boast of having a matron’s quarters as its infirmary.

In an address during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which marked the official handover, McKenzie said the new housing unit forms a part of a series of improvements that have been taking place at that infirmary over recent years. He noted that the aim was to improve the living condition of the more than 60 residents and staff at the facility.

In outlining the scope of the improvement work that has taken place at the facility in recent times, McKenzie pointed to the construction and equipping of a new kitchen area, and the creation of a therapeutic park.

Speaking specifically to the new matron’s quarters, McKenzie said the expenditure was justified, considering the difference the matron’s quarters would make to the operations at the infirmary.

“Some people would ask why would you spend $16 million to build a matron’s quarters, but, one of the provisions that is embodied in the Poor Relief Act is that the matron, who heads the institution, must be on 24 hours call,” said McKenzie, in noting that constructing the matron’s quarters was to meet the specified requirement.

While noting that the Hanover Infirmary is one of the smallest in the country, McKenzie said that, in terms of ranking, it is among the best in the country.

“And, I say it without prejudice, this infirmary is in the top three,” said McKenzie, in praising the dedication and commitment of the staff.

As it relates to future projects at the infirmary, McKenzie said the next target is to do some improvement work on the facility’s laundry.

“So, I am pleased to announce this morning, that we are going to be providing over $7.5 million to carry out extensive repairs on the laundry, which should complete a circle of improvement at this Hanover infirmary,” he stated, noting that he would be making a further announcement in his upcoming Sectoral Debate presentation.

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